Shocked at childcare costs :o

Never looked into this before been a FTM (first time mum) but just saw a post on another group about people going back to work after babies. I have a few family members who work in nurseries and are childminders so I asked them what prices are for care. Utterly shocked 😱 If I was to return to work full time I would have to get another full time job just to cover fees and then my mortgage and bills and things! Like how can people afford to go back? Unless you have a really good job obviously! My current job which I have worked in for 5 years are only open from 9am to 8pm, by the time my husband is home from work to save on childcare costs if I worked when he got home I would only be able to work 2hours on an evening which once fuel has been paid for would be pretty pointless! Thinking wether to go back to my job as realistically getting a 6pm-11pm shift at the coop at the end of the street would be better than going back to my work even though the pay is less I could get in more hours! It's all so confusing this Paying more out than I earn for a shift to go to work!

Comments (37)

Depending on your income you may be able to get tax credits which u can also get childcare costs for aswell they don't cover the full cost they normally cover 25 percent depending on what yours n your partners income is for the year my childminder charges £25 for full day 8 am till 6pm includes dinner n everything so my costs for 5 days are £125 a week but I only pay £70 towards the cost is a lot but we both work so u could go to the turn to us calculator n see what u may be eligible for once baby arrives n how much child care costs u may be entitled to aswell

I work shifts and my days change each weeek rotating. I can work my shifts out until the end of time as it just follows a pattern, despite this most nurseries don’t offer flexible so we’d have to pay for the week and use 2 days! We we’ve priced it as £10k a year and of that £4k would be wasted days we don’t need! Outrageous!

Depending on your income you may be able to get tax credits which u can also ...

Posted
14/02/2018

Depending on your income you may be able to get tax credits which u can also get childcare costs for aswell they don't cover the full cost they normally cover 25 percent depending on what yours n your partners income is for the year my childminder charges £25 for full day 8 am till 6pm includes dinner n everything so my costs for 5 days are £125 a week but I only pay £70 towards the cost is a lot but we both work so u could go to the turn to us calculator n see what u may be eligible for once baby arrives n how much child care costs u may be entitled to aswell

I had a look at if we would be able to claim anything and unfortunately my husbands wage is too high and we don't get anything. That's a good price the cheapest I have found in my area is £800 a month for childcare! I do live in an expensive city though compared to a lot of places in the U.K. The only thing I get is the £20 a week thing that you get regardless of your income 😭

I work shifts and my days change each weeek rotating. I can work my shifts ou...

Last edited
14/02/2018

I work shifts and my days change each weeek rotating. I can work my shifts out until the end of time as it just follows a pattern, despite this most nurseries don’t offer flexible so we’d have to pay for the week and use 2 days! We we’ve priced it as £10k a year and of that £4k would be wasted days we don’t need! Outrageous!

There really is no incentive to go back to work is there! That's such a lot of money to have to waste! It's literally a couple of holidays abroad that! I know what I'd rather have 😂

Wow that's expensive we only live in a small town so prices r relatively good the £20 would be the child benefit which o believe has been called at £50000 for a couples income I think that's right anyway some jobs can offer child care vouchers if u can't get the tax credits you may wish to see if your place offers them for when u go back after maternity leave not all companies do but it might be worth asking

Some employers offer childcare vouchers as a perk, worth checking with yours.

We were lucky that we had family to help with my son, He's now 3 so looking into the funded places for him. We'll need something for this one though, I'm being made redundant so will be looking at working closer to home so family can't help anymore. I don't think we're entitled to any tax credits either.

It's shocking, even with child care vouchers ect after my second child I ...

Posted
14/02/2018

It's shocking, even with child care vouchers ect after my second child I worked out after child care I would earn £20 a week so I never went back after I had him x

This is why I'm contemplating it now because I don't want to get to the week before I'm due back and still not know what to do! I can't believe how little help there is for both parents who work full time!

Learn more

Your growing child

4 month old, third week

Even though crying is still your baby's strongest form of communication, he's also developing his sense of humour now. He may start to laugh at pleasant surprises such as your face appearing from underneath a blanket. Read More

4 month old, fourth week

Following a well-established nighttime routine may help settle your baby to sleep. Feed her, give her a bath, put her in her pyjamas, play a game, read her a book, sing songs or play some music, then put her down. Read More

5 month old, first week

Your baby can't express his emotions in the same complex way that you can. Although he can let you know in clear ways when he's angry, bored or happy, his ability to show love and humour are just developing. Read More

5 month old, second week

Your baby may start showing signs of one of his first major emotional milestones – stranger anxiety. He may become clingy and anxious around new (and even familiar!) people and may cry if a stranger suddenly approaches him. Read More

You are passing a message to a BabyCentre staff member.
For the fastest help on community guidelines violations, please click 'Report this' on the item you wish the staff to review.
For general help please read our Help section or contact us.